October 19 2009– Issue 62

The Newspaper of De Montfort

Students

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For most fi rst year students at DMU Fresher’s Week is a jubilant time, pesky orientation lectures, time at the bar and dreaded “fresher’s fl u” being the only obstacle to seven days of non-stop hedonism. � is year at DMU however some fresher’s found their fi rst days in Leicester somewhat bittersweet, as they arrived to university only to discover their accommodation arrangements in chaos.

Due to what the university described to the Leicester Mercury as “unprecedented” levels of applications this year, there has been a shortage of places in Leicester’s halls of residence, with many new arrivals turning up to fi nd out that the university’s guarantee to students who place DMU as their fi rst choice of accommodation not ringing entirely true, many being placed in houses not owned by the university or its affi liated accommodation fi rms or, in some extreme cases, in hotels.

� e Leicester Mercury reported that around 300 students had been housed in

hotels for the beginning of their university lives, with their relocation to more permanent accommodation the university’s “top priority.” � e hotels being used have not been disclosed by the university, but speaking to the Mercury Amir Reza President of DSU said that “� e student union exec have been going to see [those in hotels] to make sure they’re okay and the situation is under control now” going on to say that the hotels were of a satisfactory quality despite DSU calling the debacle an “unacceptable situation.”

One student who is being housed is Kezzia Bennet, who spoke to BBC Leicestershire from the room she is sharing in the Days Inn at Leicester Forest East Services, fi ve miles outside of Leicester’s centre. Speaking in her television interview Ms. Bennet commented “I was devastated, although the room is lovely and I would be happy to stay here under diff erent circumstances. But as a new student it is not what you expect for, what you want.”

Whilst the situation, with students living far away from campus in a unfamiliar

environment, is obliviously not ideal the University have insisted that the problem will be remedied as soon as possible with David Alder, DMU PR offi cer commenting to the BBC “We completely recognize this is not what our students want and indeed

it is not what the university wants for

our students” insisting that the university was trying to make those students in trouble’s situation as comfortable and as close to a normal student experience as possible.

Continued on Page 2.

NO PLACELIKE HOMEHundreds of new students left in limbo as DMU runs out of roomChris Day

Avoid Getting Scared!The Demon looks at how to stay safe during the scariest time of the year!

Page 13.

Shock & Oar!The full run down of DMU

Rowings epic rowathon!Page 23.

African Adventure

Catherine Muir explores Kruger National Park

Page 8.

demonnews2

Despite the promises made by De Montfort management during the opening days of the academic year as the campus enters its second week of teaching, fresher’s housing has faced a continuing wave of problems and issues. Especially raised were those issues that concerned DMU not always living up to its promises, a view that prevailed amongst fresher’s who contacted DSU. Fresher’s made particular reference to the amount of contact with DMU they have had and the promise of activities that have not seemed to materialize in quite the fashion they were described. In response to these complaints (and pressure from the DSU exec team) however, DMU presented the union with a letter of apology concerning the crisis. � e university admitted “its communication has not been good enough” with hotel bound students and promised to follow up issues regarding activities for these isolated fresher’s, who had viewed the program up until that point as “disappointing.” Furthermore the university also gave a full and unreserved apology to all students who had been embroiled in the housing fi asco, acknowledging that this was “deserved.”

However despite these further pledges by the university to help improve certain unsatisfactory areas of their emergency provisions, other complaints that DSU had voiced on behalf of eff ected students received less clear answers from DMU, including an acknowledgment that the university cannot say when a solution will be found for all students in hotels.

On the issue of Internet access in hotels, which DSU pointed out on its website is “far too expensive” to allow students proper “communication with their University, from their Union and most importantly, their

course” without incurring “steep costs.” In its reply to DSU the university said that it “cannot solve the problem of Internet access immediately but they are investigating the possibilities,” although only for hotels that are not going to be vacated in the immediate future. However, regarding the disproportion costs that students have had to incur due to their unsatisfactory location and accommodation the university stated categorically in its letter that it would compensate for costs “incurred above expectations” and “make sure that all students are treated fairly and evenly.” It stated that it is currently gathering information in order to implement this initiative.

Furthermore the university gave a glimmer of hope for some fresher’s aff ected by the debacle, albeit in a slightly unconventional suggestion. On 9th October it was announced via a letter to some hotel dwelling fresher’s and to DMU as a whole (once again via the DSU website) that, with the understanding that fresher’s in hotels had formed friendships group just like those in halls and recognizing the further disruption breaking these up would cause, that it had requisitioned 110 single bed permanent rooms for fresher’s in the far fl ung climes of the Loughborough University campus as a “potential alternative” to the current

“unacceptable state.” Coupled with this off er as way of apology for the previous circumstances and the far from ideal location they have found, DMU have promised to lay on a whole raft of benefi ts for students who accept the off er. � is includes a discounted rents that will bring the weekly cost down to £80 a week with free rents during the Christmas and Easter vacations, free breakfast and evening meal and transport directly to DMU at no cost.

DSU have made it clear though that those fresher’s in hotels not wishing to take up this off er will not be deserted by their union, who will “continue to help to fi nd safe, secure and local housing for them with help from DSU Lettings” whilst piling pressure on to DMU management to remedy the crisis once and for all. � e Union also promised to liaise with their counterparts in Loughborough, to ensure that those who choose to live there don’t “feel alienated and distanced” from the rest of the university.

Andy Schooledge, DSU’s VP of Media and Communications, talking about these problems in this issue’s “Demon Talk” section was keen to remind fresher’s in unfortunate circumstances “DSU and � e Demon will not stop taking your issues to the University. We’ve got your back!” dedicating the issue to those with accommodation problems.

The Housing Crisis: What’s Been DoneChris Day

However, freshers who spoke to � e Demon on campus seemed far from satisfi ed with their treatment by the university, or the alternatives they were off ered. Shannon, a newly arrived Games Art Design student said “I turned up at uni not knowing where I would be staying. I’m now living in a house on Winchester Avenue with no electricity and I can’t get through to my landlord, it’s outrageous.” Meanwhile Marta, a Youth Community Development student was having similar problems saying “I’m lucky because I know people in Leicester so I can stay at my friends, the university’s not been any help at all, I think it’s a disgrace, there’s people arriving from London to fi nd they have nowhere to live.”

In a statement on the fi asco during Freshers Week DSU said, “De Montfort University Students’ Union has been doing everything within its power to support the students that have arrived in Leicester uncertain of their accommodation.” It has since then been meeting with the University’s management with an aim to gain an ultimate resolution and as much transparency during this process. DSU also urges any fresher’s with any problems regarding this or any other issue to contact Jane Wells, VP Student Welfare via email at jwells02@dmu.ac.uk.

Do you have an • opinion on this issue? Let � e Demon know! Email us at talk@demonpaper.com or fi nd us on Twitter @thedemonpaper

NO PLACE LIKE HOMEContinued from the front page.

Leicester’s arts community are holding their breath this week, after it was announced that De Montfort Hall, one of the city’s largest and most prodigious venues revealed that in the last year they have overspent their budget by around £1m.

� e Hall, one of the largest venues in the city, has in the past held performances by many top entertainers, with many well known comedians, such as Ross Nobel and Jimmy Carr, using the venue as their Leicester stop due to its, until the recent opening of the Curve � eatre, status as

the largest venue in Leicester. � e venue is also used to house parts of major city-wide events, in the past taking on the larger gigs for the Leicester Comedy Festival and the Summer Sundae Weekender. Now however it seems that despite its impressive looking bill of entertainment, the Hall cannot make enough money to recoup its costs.

Many would point towards the lack of advertising that the venue does for its gigs, especially to the lucrative student market. Catherine, a third year median production student said “I’ve only ever been to one event there that was sold out. � e place is cavernous, its no wonder they don’t always fi ll it.” Meanwhile Alasdair, a fi nal year

Business student said he’d never had any call to go to DMH, “I’ve never seen anything advertised, whereas the Curve are everywhere; perhaps if there were more posters etc. especially around DMU, to attract students who are a bit far away, people would be more likely to buy tickets.”

� e future of the Hall, which despite its twin namesake is not directly connected with DMU, remains unclear at the moment, but with the competition of

the Curve and many other, smaller theatres it lies in a precarious position.

De Montfort Hall £1.41 Million in The Red Chris Day

Monday October 19 2009Issue 62

Annual General Meeting27 October 2009, 1pm

Room 0.45 Hawthorn Building

AGENDA1. Executive Apologies

2. Notifi cation of Any Other Business

3. Minutes from the Annual General Meeting held 11 November 2008

4. Matters Arising from the General Meeting held 11 November 2008

5. Accounts and Appointments:-

Accounts Summary 2008/2009• Annual Report on Accounts 2008/2009• Budget Summary 2009/2010•

6. For discussion:-

Drugs Policy• International Fees Regulation Policy• Halls Committee Policy• Halal / Vegetarian / Kosher Policy•

7. Minutes for Information

8. Questions to offi cers on their reports

9. Any Other Business

10. Announcements

4. Matters Arising from the General Meeting held 11 November 2008

Accounts Summary 2008/2009Annual Report on Accounts 2008/2009Budget Summary 2009/2010

International Fees Regulation Policy

Halal / Vegetarian / Kosher Policy

8. Questions to offi cers on their reports

demonnews4

News in BriefStephen Gateley RIP

Boyzone heartthrob Stephen Gateley sadly passed away in the early hours of Saturday 10 October whilst holidaying with his husband Andrew Cowles. � e couple were recently married in a civil ceremony and he is said to be devasted. � e other Boyzone members, along with Louis Walsh, travelled out to Majorca, where Gateley died, to pay their respects. � e funeral will be held in Dublin on Saturday 17 October. Gateley was heralded as a hero to gay rights by Tim Teeman of � e Times after famously coming out in 1999.

� e Big Switch Off !� e Big Switch Off took place last week around the Students’ Union. Set out to promote awareness about the state of the environment the switch off infomed students on the best ways to cut down on thier energy usage. � ey have been told to switch off appliances properly, only print what you need and take the stairs instead of taking the lift. � ere was a whole week of environmentally friendly actvities encouraging everyones to get involved.

Under the Bridge...Tempers flared again this week around the demolition of the Bowstring Bridge after tonnes of construction equipment were spotted parked on the structure.

� e council has claimed since 2005 that the bridge can only support its own weight but protesters are now questioning these claims after spotting the vehicles parked there consecutively last week.

Emotions are still running high with messages of protest and banners fl ying from the dilapidated structure despite the commencement of the demolition.

Calvin Dass, DSU’s Deputy President Education, has started a new campaign to raise awareness of racism in football. � e event involves a series of football matches on the 24th of October at Goals in Leicester, which Calvin is organising and running himself called “Kick It Out”.

Back � e Bid will be present at the event as well with a ballot box, encouraging people to get behind Leicesters’ opportunity to potentially be involved with England 2018.

When asked why he wanted to organise such a campaign, Calvin said, “Football has always been a big part of my life, especially

as the Vice Captain of the DMU Football Team. I just thought that arranging a tournament like this would be a fun and accessible way for people to open their eyes to what really goes on in football”.

If you want to get involved with this campaign, please contact Calvin at cdass00@dmu.ac.uk

Calvin Kicks OffAndy Schooledge

� is year saw the most successful Freshers Week at DMU, ever. Despite so many students being housed in hotels, over 4000 Freshers Wristbands were sold and for the fi rst time ever, DSU was forced to negotiate more space for their evening events in order to accommodate the extra interest, opening up the second fl oor of � e Campus Centre to increase the venues capacity.

Appearances from � e Dolly Rockers, Booty Luv and Dave Benson Phillips also proved a hit with Freshers seeing hundreds fl ock to see the acts.

Online purchases and visits have also shot through the roof with more people than ever logging on to check the latest news and buy

tickets for events.A major factor in the increasing

popularity has been the re-brand that DSU introduced at the beginning of the year. � e revamped website is keeping visitors on the website longer and looking at more pages. � e Executive Team have also been trying to keep new and fresh content on the site on a regular basis to keep students up to date on what they are doing for them.

Adrian Hussain, a fi nal year business student, said, “It was the best Freshers Week I had encountered at my time at DMU. Each night there was something diff erent to get involved in, whether it be in the Union or its affi liated clubs.”

� e week culminated in the DSU Fun Run: RUN DMU which managed to raise just shy of £1000 for local charity LOROS.

Breath of Fresh AirAndy Schooledge

Andy SchooledgeOn Monday the 12th October, � e Executive Team along with staff of De Montfort University Students Union, travelled to � e House of Commons in London to receive their Bronze Award for the Student Union Evaluation Initiative.

� e Award which recognises those Students Unions that are excelling in their fi eld, was awarded on the merits of the past two years in which the organisation has working towards this accolade.

In the fi nal report, the auditors said the “� e Union has evidence that it has made a positive impact on almost 80% of students’ lives at University..... � e Union is working hard to connect with its diverse membership and was, with the University’s support, able to respond quickly when it became clear that an

alcohol free area was something many students wanted the Union to off er. � is was also evidence that the Union can be quick to respond to students.”

Lisa Brown, Human Resources Manager of DSU, also picked up her own award for her management of the project along with the two other project managers from the Student Unions of Bedfordshire and York St Johns whose Students Unions also picked up the Bronze SUEi Award.

Carl King, DSU President 07-09, put in an appearance to pick up the Bronze Award and join the celebrations.

SUEi Pride For DSU

Monday October 19 2009Issue 62

Have you enrolled forUniversity Computer Support and Repairs yet? Enrol now at www.smart xit.com/enrolEach year, students at the De Montfort University enrol for Unlimited Computer Support and Repairs for their personal computers, laptops and Macs. Service is provided from the SmartFixIT of ce located in the students’ Union. The centre is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.

SmartFixIT recover countless dissertations, photos, music les and other important materials lost from student’s computers, making us the UK’s most consistent University computer support provider for students. The full package includes:

Unlimited Repairs and Support for a full year

Plus

Final Defence data and identity protection software valued at £29.00

Trend Micro Internet Security Anti-Virus software valued at £45.00

Service Centre conveniently located on campus

Service is available year round at any of our locations

demontalk6Monday October 19 2009

Issue 62

Contact � e Demon Talk

If you want to send � e Demon Talk page a letter about the problems you’ve encountered at University, a question about student life in general or you want to comment on anything we’ve printed, contact Andy Schooledge, Editor in Chief at aschooledge@dmu.ac.uk.

I’m sure it would come as no surprise to you that this edition of � e Demon has somewhat of an emphasis on housing and accommodation.

During Freshers Week, the whole Campus was buzzing about the news that hundreds of students had arrived at DMU with no housing. � e University moved them in to hotels as a temporary measure.

� e Students’ Union has been doing everything possible to make things easier for these students. Along with laying on extra events, facilitating meetings with senior University management and housing as many students as possible through DSU Lettings, the Executive Team have also been out talking to these students.

Vice President Welfare, Jane Wells, has been meeting regularly with the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Philip Martin with students detaling the issues and problems they are facing. Jane said, “I hate to see the students in this situation and after visiting the hotels, I can understand how distressing it must be for them. However, I feel it’s important that students can keep bringing their issues and problems to me and with these regular meetings hopefully we can see a solution in the near future”. If you want to join Jane at the next meeting, please contact jwells02@dmu.ac.uk.

I personally visited three hotels on the Monday they moved in and spoke to these students face to face. Understandably, they were confused, angry, homesick and looking for someone to blame. � e most frustrating thing they found was that they felt abandoned. Communication from the University was not working eff ectively and accessing the Internet was impossible due to the extortionate amounts of money that Internet access would have cost them.

However, once I’d explained what DSU was doing to help these students, the visible change from the look of anxiety to relief on their faces changed everything. Knowing that someone had their backs and was ready to continue their cause to the University made me realise just how valuable a students’ union can be. � ose values of support and representation mean more now than ever.

� e thing that really hit home was the attitude of those students I spoke to. Despite being messed around by the University, these students still had an amazing sense of humour about the situation and it was clear that it was not going to get them down. � eir resilience and perseverance to get on with their courses and enjoy as much of their University experience became apparent and without sounding too much like some old Granddad, they made me proud.

And so I think it’s only fair that this edition of � e Demon is dedicated to those students who are still trucking and making the most of a bad situation. Good luck and remember that DSU and � e Demon will not stop taking your issues to the University. We’ve got your back!

Andy SchooledgeEditor In Chief

Impressed To Say The Least Editorial TeamEditor-in-chief – Andy Schooledgeaschooledge@dmu.ac.uk

Interim Deputy Editor –Ciaran Scotteditor@demonpaper.com

Creative Editor – Vacantphotos@demonpaper.com

News Editors–Vacantnews@demonpaper.com

Interim Politics Editor – Chris Daypolitics@demonpaper.com

Interim Features Editor – Humaira Sadiqfeatures@demonpaper.com

Interim Travel Editors – Cherie Rowlands & Catherine Muirtravel@demonpaper.com

Interim Fashion Editor –Holly Smith fashion@demonpaper.

com

Interim Lifestyle Editor– Sarah Taylorlifestyle@demonpaper.com

Interim Music Editor – Laura Westerbydemonmusic1@gmail.com

Interim Film Editor – Becky Gazeley

fi lm@demonpaper.com

Interim Sports Editor – Will Gavinsport@demonpaper.com

Proofreaders - Elliot Pinkham, Alexia Polemidioti

Contributors:Adrian Hussian, Jamie Jordan, Rich Simpkins, Nicky Docherty, Matt Bennison, Rebecca Waterfi eld, Sam Nicholson, Stephen � ompson, Mark Johnson. Claire Sanders, Ollie Millington , Jef Nunn, Bekki Griffi ths, Claire Trevor, Stephen Clark, Adam Koszulinski, Peter Beck, Emily lawrenson.

If you are interested in contributing to the newspaper and joining a section team, please email the Editor at aschooledge@dmu.ac.uk or pop in to the Students’ Union.� e Demon is a Demon Media publication for De Montfort University Students’ Union.

Contact UsPlease send all correspondence to:Andy Schooledge, Editor-in-Chief, � e Demon, De Montfort University Students’ Union, First Floor, � e Campus Centre, Mill Lane, Leicester LE2 7DR.

E-mail: editor@demonpaper.comTel: 0116 255 5576

For all advertising enquiries, contact Lisa Flint-Elkins of BAM Student Marketing at lfe@bamuk.com

DisclaimerAll views and opinions printed in this publication are those of the writers and not of De Montfort University Students’ Union. We welcome articles from all students at all times. All articles will be considered. Any articles are subject to editing and we do not guarantee that submitted articles will be printed.

� e Demon is printed through Trinity Mirror. For further information, visit the web site at http://www.trinitymirror.com/

Impressed To Say The LeastEditorial

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demonpolitics8

� e Atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6th 1945 brought to an end the era of total war that was embedded within the beginning of the 20th century. On that fateful day, the concept of war brought about the unthinkable, total destruction of the planet. Since then, nuclear arsenals have been produced by many states seeking a deterrent against aggressors. � is obviously relates to the ‘Cold War’, where America and Russia were at a nuclear stand off from the end of the Second World War until the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989.

It is fair to say, that the prospect of complete destruction has helped to create a ‘safer’ world where war at its worst is not a prospect that nuclearised states contemplate, drawing out the need for greater diplomacy. � is is not to say that war has been eliminated, merely that confl ict is now often carried out by proxy or in a clandestine manner (the current Afghanistan and Iraq wars are notable exceptions). � e Russian-Afghan war, between 1979-1989 is an example of such, as the Islamist Mujahideen resisted the Afghan government and Soviet infl uence. America played a large role in this confl ict, although not offi cially, by supplying the Mujahideen with an extensive array of weaponry and resources to eventually defeat the Communist Soviet off ensive.

However, the world has changed dramatically in the last twenty years, with an unprecedented level of cooperation between major states in diff erent regions. � e question recently has been raised of the relevance of such a nuclear deterrent, especially ones so large that both America and Russia currently hold. With this, President Obama has taken a bold step in proclaiming that one (of many) of his major pledges during his term in offi ce is to see the reduction of nuclear arsenals leading, one day to a complete elimination. A fi rst step has been taken in this process with both states signing an agreement to reduce their arsenal by a quarter each (from about 2200 to 1600 weapons). � is still obviously leaves a capability of total destruction, but a step in the right direction I suppose!

� e problem lies with the legacy of the Cold War however; with the fact being that although still diffi cult to produce nuclear weapons, the technology and know how is wide spread and readily available, due to support for many states during the Cold War from either the Soviet Union or America, to prevent the onslaught of either’s ideology. If this is coupled with healthy bank balances to produce such weaponry (or those willing to siphon off enough income at the expense of other areas) then there is a greater ease in this age. � is has created an interesting paradigm at this point, because as leading powers such as America, Russia and to a lesser extent Britain question the need for a nuclear deterrent, states such as Iran and North Korea seem hell bent on achieving nuclear status. For leading powers, this is a big issue, as these two states are not the most desirable for becoming nuclear. Iran has stated regularly it would be happy to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth and N. Korea has largely distanced itself from everyone apart from the hand that feeds it, China.

According to international law, both states are breaking it, with many resolutions, sanctions and condemnations through the UN Security Council being ignored by both Iran and North Korea. � e most recent events have seen both states open up to demands by the likes of Europe and America, with Iran agreeing to inspections of facilities and N. Korea stating that it was willing to return to six party talks and wished to participate in bi-lateral talks with America. � ese are not new issues though, and the

question must be begged why has something not been done before? � e weight that Europe, America, Russia and China carry collectively both politically and militarily only demonstrates further, that if truly serious about preventing both Iran and N. Korea from achieving their aim, it should be unproblematic. � e point is however, that the problem does not lie with Iran and N. Korea, the problem lies within economics and power.

I shall deal with both cases individually. Iran has long been considered a hostile neighbour to many in the Middle East, including Iraq and most notably Israel. � ey have also made no excuses for their views on the latter, only recently for the anniversary of Iran’s revolution which overthrew the Shah, did President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad deny once again that the Jewish Holocaust during WWII took place. Couple this with what is considered by many to be a stolen election and the recent discovery of a second uranium enrichment factory, the question presented is why has there been so much patience for this regime when many others have fallen for a lot less. Well, this may not come as much of a surprise to you, but economic factors reign.

If we look at the situation closely, Iran has the second largest GDP in the region, only behind an almost fully Europeanised Turkey that is already enjoying all the economic trappings that comes with having close affi liation to the EU. � is makes Iran, whether the West like it or not a big player in the region, with potential to infl uence the direction of the region as a whole for decades to come. � is is not a piece of the pie that America will want to miss out on. Talk of sanctions in the past and future mean very little, as the press will report a certain level being implemented when the reality is that UN sanctions tend to become watered down in a real world setting, rendering them almost pointless.

If America pushes too hard, then China is waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces and vice versa. � is gives Iran and others in the Middle Eastern nations great leverage, as the two great economic powers in the world view their region as a potential gold mine as states ‘modernise’ and become consumer driven. � is point is evident in Africa, as since the colonial powers have reduced ties with many of the states that came under their direct control, China have taken the place of European states. China has managed to gain huge control over many natural resources needed to fuel their relentless march to economic supremacy.

Another factor is that Russia has had close ties with Iran for many decades and with America pushing for greater relations between the two states, to lean too hard on Iran would only distance Russia who already has many trade links with Iran. As long as Iran for a time look like they are playing by the West’s ball game, they will most probably be able to string ‘talks’ out for long enough to produce a nuclear device.

North Korea, on the other hand has very little if nothing to off er in terms of an economic base. What they do have is China as neighbours, acting almost like an older sibling in defense of North Korea’s actions. With a GDP almost forty times smaller than their southern neighbours, N. Korea’s actions have been overt but without intervention from outside forces and moved them closer to their desired goal of owning a nuclear arsenal. North Korea has long desired to be recognized on a global stage and the election of President Obama has moved them a step closer to this.

With his desire to move closer to a world without nuclear weapons, President Obama has put himself in an unenvious position, as reaching this goal means dealing with N. Korea

either forcibly or diplomatically. � e former is unlikely for two reasons. Firstly, they do not have the capability for any further protracted engagement to change regimes, with anyone, especially one that might have an extremely poor population overall, but boasts an army with man power that numbers 1 million. Secondly, and most simply, China would not allow it. China is a hegemon in this region and would almost defi nitely see this as Western interference in a matter that it deems controllable by itself. Coupled with this, China is America’s biggest creditor, and although not always outwardly projecting its infl uence, it would be foolish of anyone not to realize that China has a big say on world aff airs these days.

With N. Korea agreeing to come back to the table for the ‘Six Party Talks’ and off ering an extending hand for bi-lateral talks with America, N. Korea will benefi t themselves by being able to suckle on the teat of foreign aid from two of the world’s biggest powers for many years yet; and as is obvious in N. Korea, it is not about the people for Kim Jung-Il, but maintaining his families strangle hold over power in the country, which this latest move will most certainly do.

With all this in mind, it is no wonder then how ‘Guns, Money and Power’ are so inextricably linked in the world today. One false move by any of the ‘super powers’ can have repercussions over a number of decades and in many diff erent fi elds. � ere may be a desire now to rid the world of nuclear arsenals, but we may have to wait many lifetimes until their presence does not excite questionable states who laud them as an opportunity to gain high presence on the global stage.

Jamie Jordan investigates the politics surrounding the issue of nuclear weapons and the rogue states that wish to acquire them.

Guns, Money & PowerMonday October 19 2009

Issue 62

politicsdemon 9

Perhaps the word that is most likely to be associated with 2009 in the history books will be one which must have passed every single citizens’ lips at least once this year – Recession. Or Defl ation, “boom and bust”, the slowing down of the economy – whatever you want to call it, and let’s be honest, the politicians have attempted to mask it in any disguise possible to avoid using the dreaded “R” word, the recession has, in some way, aff ected all of us. So, this week, with the last of the big three party political conferences coming to a close in Manchester, what have they been doing to show that, rather than being the penny-pinching, duck-house buying no-good thieves they are portrayed as being by the media after the expenses furore, they are in fact wholly in touch with us, the electorate (you know, those of us with no houses [or even modest bungalow for that matter] for our resident garden mallards)?

� e fi rst of the Conferences, held in Bournemouth, was courtesy of the Liberal Democrat Party. � eir main raison d’être is, according to their website, to “balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community”. Oh, and they’re pretty hot on the economy too. Or at least that’s what Vince Cable, the party’s would-be Chancellor, wants us to think. He argues that there exists a pantomime-esque blame exchange between Labour and the Conservatives, with the Tories blaming Gordon Brown for our economic woes: “It’s all your fault!” followed by the predictable “Oh no it isn’t” response from Mr. Brown and his colleagues. Labour, on the other hand, are obviously keen to portray the situation as a global problem for which they have all the solutions – remember Brown’s gaff e about how he was “saving the world” a few months back? But behind all the rhetoric how much do these people really know, or indeed care, about the eff ects of the economic crisis, and how much is it about simply getting into power at the next general election? Perhaps the best way to look at this is behind the scenes at the conferences, specifi cally in this case the Tory conference, looking behind the facade and the speeches and, most specifi cally, into the many wine bars, champagne bars, hotel bars and cocktail bars that line the streets of Manchester.

� e Guardian, not the world’s biggest fans of the Conservative Party, has published a spoof memo from Tory headquarters to delegates at the conference. It outlines a ban on champagne (but of course, not actual champagne, merely champagne fl utes...), “fashion frippery” (advising delegates to scuff their shoes a bit and borrow last year’s conference dress back from the maid) and, perhaps mockingly of all, there’s a ban on smiling. � is, of course, was merely the

paper poking fun at the party who are likely to be leading the country this time next year. However, despite their mocking tones, there is in fact some sense in what � e Guardian has to say. Eric Pickles, Conservative Party Chairman, did actually ban Champagne at the conference. � is, he said, was in order to “look humble” and avoid off ending voters at this time of economic hardship. It would also show that they were not prematurely celebrating at the last conference before their inevitable election victory next year. Pickles said: “I want to see less champagne bubbles and more bubbling activity”. All very well and good then. Politics in general is in a pretty poor state at the moment, so any activity by a political party to avoid looking like elitist champagne-quaff ers and more like average Joe down the local Wetherspoon supping his pint of mild is surely a good thing.

Despite such good intentions by chairman Pickles, many delegates in Manchester were seen delicately clutching at champagne fl utes as the revelry of an evening amongst friends and colleagues kicked off after a hard day at conference. Both David Cameron and Alan Duncan were seen drinking the banned beverage (although according to a party spokesperson, Mr. Cameron’s drink was swiftly removed from his hand before he had a chance to even take a sip, though presumably not quick enough for the multitude of photographers that managed to snap him, glass in hand) at one of the many late night gatherings in the northern city. Many of the parties are hosted by businesses trying to gain favour with the government of the future with the hope of infl uencing policy in the coming years, and it is argued that the drinks were accepted on the grounds of not off ending their hosts. Other attendees at the parties were ordered to hide bottles of beer and champagne after they were snapped

with several chilled Moet’s in ice buckets on their tables.

As with most of today’s politics, it would seem we really are in an era of style over substance, whereby appearance (you can have your champagne but DON’T LET THE PRESS SEE IT!) is the order of the day and policy is seemingly way down the list. � is assertion is perhaps further qualifi ed by many political commentators, who argued that speeches at the Tory Conference contained much performance but, according to one observer, were “politically impotent”, devoid of any policy. By no means are the Conservatives alone in this – the entire new Labour project, it has been argued, was created on spin and appearance. But to what extent is such showmanship and outward deception acceptable to the voters? Only time will tell, but I fear in this image-centred culture in which we now live, style really will be the order of the day come the next general election. After all, who needs lower taxes or an improved NHS when you’ve got call-me-Dave Cameron at the helm?

The Show Must Go OnMatt Bennison gives his views on the PR surrounding the recent Conservative Party conference.

Obama Wins Peace PrizeUS President Barack Obama has been awarded this year’s nobel Peace Prize for his work towards nuclear disarmament to mixed reactions.

Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Authority concurred with the Norwegian awards body.

� ere has been criticsm however, with Jan Oberg, executive director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research said he disagreed with the awarding of the prize whilst the Obaama administration have troops remaining in Iraq and an ambiguous nuclear policy.

Brown to Pay Back ExpensesPM Gordon Brown is to repay £12,415 in expenses.

Brown was asked to reimburse claims he has made on gardening and cleaning costs over a period of four years by a committee led by ex senior civil servant Sir � omas Legg, set up to investigate further the summer’s expenses fi asco.

� e committee made it clear that Brown, who is not the only MP to be asked ,had claimed within the rules. Other leading politicians who have been asked include Nick Clegg, with a disputed £910 bill for gardening and Alex Salmond, the Scottish premiere, who will repay £710 of moving costs; overall 600 MPs have received requests, according to Sir � omas’ offi ce.

Some MP’s, however, have expressed dissatisfaction with the committees fi nding, claiming it had rewritten the rules of expenses instead of just investigating the validility of claims.

Merkel Secures Election VictoryGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU party have achieved victory once again in the recent elections, although the partner in their ruling coalition has changed.

Merkel’s centre right party will form a government with the pro-business Free Democrats, after their previous administrative partners, the Social Democrats, suff ered their worst election result in recent political history.

Merkel, who has led the country for around four years now has been praised for her stewardship of the lagging economy and her pragmatic governance.

paper poking fun at the party who are likely with several chilled Moet’s in ice buckets on

Do you have an • opinion on this issue? Let � e Demon know! Email us at talk@demonpaper.com or fi nd us on Twitter @thedemonpaper

The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

demontravel10

With infl ation hitting the tourist markets in Europe and the USA, Catherine Muir takes a moment to share an area of unspoilt terrain and wildlife and shows what you can get for your money.

Siyabona means “we see”, in Xhosa. When I think of Africa, I always fi nd myself remembering animals in their natural habitat, without the cages erected for tourists’s pleasure – I think of the Kruger National Park. � is is South Africa’s largest wildlife reserve as well

as being one of its most unspoilt wildernesses but at the same time it is one of the most developed and accessible ecotourism destinations in the country. � is is the one place on earth where you can truly experience nature and animals as they should be.

One of the most vivid camps that remains imprinted on my mind is Letaba Camp.

Letaba Camp is one of the oldest camps in the Kruger National Park, and is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, where on-lookers get a bounty of animals

drinking at the river. Animals are naturally drawn to water so if you were hoping to get the most out of your safari, then Letaba is probably the best place to see them. Waterbuck, buff alo and many elephants are known to be at Letaba and they walk round freely, so you’ll be seeing them in their most natural state. � ere are afternoon walks, bush braais, dawn and sunset drives as well as morning walks…plenty to keep you busy. I remember sitting on the plateau as the sun was setting, watching the animals drinking from the river down below. It was magical.

One thing you will need to travel in the Kruger National Park is a car. � is will be the only protection between you and the wild animals. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of being at one with nature, but when an elephant twice the size of a golf is standing two feet from me, I like the fact that the car can go slightly faster than the elephant in reverse. � e last time I went to the Kruger National Park, this very thing happened to me – except there was a whole long line of cars behind mine. � e bull elephant started charging and I put the car in reverse, very quickly. Everyone else did the same. When I think about it, it must have looked very funny to someone watching from the sidelines: a whole long line of cars

suddenly reversing all together from a menacing elephant. Now to the sordid topic of coin. Prices for Lataba Camp

start from around £55 a night for two people (bearing the exchange rate in mind), which is about R550. � is may sound like a lot but this is something that you will remember for the rest of your life. For full rates and terms, visit: www.krugerpark.co.za. � is also gives lots of information on all of the many other camps and historic sites in the Kruger National Park. � is website also has a link for fl ights which is very useful.

Despite the fact that I last saw the Kruger National Park when I was younger, it was a fantastic way to refresh my memories.

Siyabona AfricaCatherine Muir explores Kruger National Park, a beautiful area of unspoiled terrain and wildlife and shows what you can get for your money.

suddenly reversing all together from a menacing elephant.

“I love the idea of being at one with nature, but when an elephant twice the size of a golf is standing two feet from me, I like the fact that the car can go slightly faster than the elephant in reverse.”

Monday October 19 2009Issue 62

lifestyledemon 11

What singular object can be your lifeline or your noose? � e answer: the mobile phone. After a night on the town many people have woken up in a sweat worried about all those regrettable texts and phone calls made the night before, and as I come into my third year at uni, I have made many apologies since arriving at DMU.

When you arrive at university you will notice that you are spending signifi cantly more time in the pub then ever before and drinking is no longer just a weekly or fortnightly event but instead you will be feeling dizzy a few times a week. So when you reach the stage when the childish joke is the funniest thing in the world, I urge you put down your phone. Your boyfriend/girlfriend, mum and dad or even your sleeping friend will not want to hear it at two in the morning.

Now, I’m not saying don’t take your mobile when heading out till the early hours of the morning and of course make sure you have the campus security number stored in contacts as safety is key (something which I am proof of after an unfortunate incident of being threatened in a takeaway) however, unless of an emergency, the best advice is to forget you own a phone and don’t become guilty of committing drunken phone crimes.

What are the worst phone crimes to commit when you’re tipsy, I hear you cry? Well, ever heard of the saying ‘loose lips sink ships’ and ‘alcohol reveals the truth’? I happen to believe that these two sayings go hand in hand.

If your fi ngers get text happy after a few beverages then you could end up either making a few enemies or, at the very least, annoying people with early hour rude awakenings and embarrassing yourself with voicemails - especially the ones you can remember what you said. To avoid losing friends, it’s never a good idea to spread around the juicy secret your mates told you the other day as there’s bound to be someone who will remember and will mention it again, even more so if you accidentally ‘send to all contacts’. � e same goes for your own secrets; if you wouldn’t tell your mum sober it’s not the best idea to ring drunk.

� e top no-no for using your phone when smashed is something we have probably all known at least one person to do and is one of the most important jobs of friends to stop happening when going out: ringing the ex. If you’re waking up the next day with the groggy feeling that something isn’t right, maybe it’s because last night you made a fool of yourself and there’s nothing else to do but hope they changed their number. Let’s face it, unless you talk regularly they won’t want to hear from you ever more, especially if you’re hysterical, rude or over-emotional- all lovely traits alcohol brings out.

A graduate from Northampton University who wants to remain anonymous, made the mistake of ringing an ex: “I once rang my ex whilst in Lava/Ignite to say I loved him after he had cheated on me. I cried afterwards.”

And if after all these warnings you can’t stop yourself sending a drunken message to someone, text it out and wait till the morning to send it. It may not seem so important then and can save you a lot of hassle. Another tip is

renaming the people you’re most likely to call (ex-boyfriends and parents) so when you go to text them they won’t be there. Or, if you’re at home when the drunk-dial madness takes over, leave your jokes or funny comments on Facebook - the bonus is it can be deleted the next day.

Don’t Drink and Dial

Book Reviews� e Year of the FloodMargaret AtwoodFans of Atwood will remember dystopian masterpiece “Oryx and Crake” in which ‘a waterless flood’ sweeps the earth – a rapidly breeding spliced virus, wiping out mankind. In “The Year of the Flood”, we see the stories of two survivors, Ren and Toby, and the stories of how they came to be there. In typical Atwood style the narrative switches from the past to the present until year 25 – ‘the year of the flood’. As Ren and Toby’s paths cross, they search for survivors – and survival – from the enemies that pursue them.

Brilliantly written, Atwood invents more clever gene-spliced characters, telling a slightly foreboding story of a society that is wiped out as a result of genetic engineering. The characters, from the God’s Gardeners to the Scalies, are imaginative and well-thought out. A pacey interesting read that will be hard to put down.

Buy from: Amazon, £11.39For fans of: Aldous HuxleyFollow-up read: Oryx and Crake

Sarah Taylor.

� e HostStephanie Meyer

Dubbed ‘a science fi ction novel for those who don’t like science fi ction’ Stephanie Meyer’s side project “� e Host” has caused teen bloggers to spend endless hours arguing its superiority to Twilight. Aimed for the more mature reader this will leave you thinking for days after fi nishing the fi nal page.

We see the story of Wanderer, an invading ‘soul’ coming to an earth which has been infi ltrated by an alien species. In order to survive she must live in a human body or ‘host’. � rough Wanderer’s host Melanie, she begins to see memories of Melanie’s previous lover, Jared. As Wanderer sees more, she falls in love with Jared, and sets out to fi nd him, leading to events that will question human emotions, actions and even our place on earth. � e novel stays true to Meyer’s strong emotional description as well as delving deeper into issues only encountered by die-hard science fi ction fans. Buy it at your risk- your fl atmates may not see you for weeks.

Buy from: Amazon, £3.99For fans of: L J SmithFollow up read: � e Twilight Saga

Rebecca Waterfi eld

Handle with CareJodi Picoult

Take a pinch of romance, a dash of problem solving, and a handful of mystery, and what you’ll end up with is one of Jodi Picoult’s novels - plots that play on the mind, centring usually around morally taboo or little-discussed subjects, unveiling circumstances that surprise and make all the pieces fi t together. In “Handle With Care”, we face the problem of abortion and the rights faced of an unborn child.Willow suff ers from osteogenesis imperfecta, a severe form of brittle bone disease, which means the slightest fall or pressure, could break her limbs and even kill her. She lives life in a cocoon, forever sheltered by her protective mother, who wants nothing more than to keep her child safe. Everything changes when the prospect of money comes into the equation; Willow’s family are off ered the chance to sue the doctor who delivered her – an old family friend. But by suing, they would be admitting to a court that they had never wanted their child. All these complex plot points tie in to make an unforgettable, page-turning read, that keeps you hooked until the very end page.

Buy from: £5.59For fans of: Kim EdwardsFollow up read: � e Pact

Emily Lawrenson.

Sarah Taylor

Dubbed ‘a science fi ction novel for those who don’t like science fi ction’ Stephanie Meyer’s side project “� e Host” has caused teen bloggers to spend endless hours arguing its superiority to Twilight. Aimed for the more mature reader this will leave you thinking for days after fi nishing the fi nal page.

Wanderer, an invading ‘soul’ coming to an earth

Take a pinch of romance, a dash of problem solving, and a handful of mystery, and what you’ll end up with is one of Jodi Picoult’s novels - plots that play on the mind, centring usually around morally taboo or little-discussed subjects, unveiling circumstances that surprise and make all the pieces fi t together. In “Handle With Care”, we face the problem of abortion and the rights faced of an unborn child.Willow suff ers from

renaming the people you’re most likely to call (ex-boyfriends

The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

demonfeatures12

DMU unable to accommodate all students

The Accommodation Crisis – Your Views

De Montfort University students have been placed in hotels after the university was unable to accommodate them all.

About 300 fi rst-year undergraduates who started last week at De Montfort University were placed in various hotels across the city.

� e university had a very high rate of applications this year and henceforth, struggled to accommodate every student within their halls. � e students are temporarily staying at hotels and the issue of them moving out from the hotels has been given ‘top priority.’

A De Montfort University spokeswoman said: “Applications for student accommodation have been at an unprecedented level nationally and this has also been the case at De Montfort University.

“We have been able to place the majority of our students into either student halls or private accommodation in and around the campus.

“However, due to the very high level of applications for accommodation this year, we have had to place a small proportion of students, around 300, into hotel accommodation in and around the city.”

� e university said it was doing its best to make sure students were well looked after.

� e spokeswoman added: “It is important to stress that we have placed people in groups so no-one is on their own and we are regularly visiting each hotel to ensure they are able to partake fully in student life.

“� e hotel accommodation is temporary until we are able to place our students in alternative accommodation and this is something we are working on as a top priority.”

One 18-year-old student, from Warwickshire, who did not wish to be named, said it was an unsettling start to his university life.

He said: “I’d been told all summer that I’d got a place in university accommodation then I was told last week that I’d been put in a hotel.

“� ey couldn’t tell us which hotel until we got here at the weekend. I am disappointed as I wanted to be with everyone else.”

� is is not the fi rst accommodation problem to aff ect the university at the start of the new academic year. � e university said it was unable to say how many more students were starting this year, compared with last year.

Amer Reza, President of De Montfort Student Union, said he hoped more permanent housing would be found by the end of October.

He said: “� e student union exec have been going to see [those in hotels] to make sure they’re okay and the situation is under control now.

“� e hotels are really good and although it’s uncertainty for them they seem happy.

“� e university says it should have found some houses for them by the end of the month.”

“Mismanagement seems to be at fault here. I wonder how much the budget is going to be hit. Money that should be used for education.”

- Kulgan, Student at DMU

“I do feel sorry for the fi rst year students who did not get the full fresher’s experience of living in halls and I hope that they still get to enjoy their time at university.”

- Simon Smith, Studying English Language at DMU

“Whatever happened to house sharing? When you rent a shared house you learn many life skills -paying utility bills for instance- that you don’t in the more cossetted ‘boarding school’ environment in student halls. And surely going to University should be all about learning? Or are today’s students less able to cope on their own at 18+ than in years past?”

– David Aylestone, studying Law at DMU

“Many students start living in a bubble as soon as they leave school and go straight to University, then expect to get a well paid job. � e trouble is that many of them never truly experience life and that’s the main problem. � ey’ve continued living in their own little box from a safe home and school life, through University and into adult life.”

– Jasmine Taylor, Studying Business and Accounting at DMU.

“Anyways the people in hotels shouldn’t complain, they should be happy with the fact that they have actually got a chance to go university.”

- Saira Patel, Studying Arts and Management at DMU

“Students living in hotels can be a good thing and a bad thing. Its luxury for them but as we dont know

the specifi cs of which hotels they are currently staying at, the chances are that it may be a long walking distance to DMU. Also they don’t get the full benefi ts of the ups and downs of living as a student in the Halls at DMU. I guess it’s a good thing that it’s a temporary situation for them.”

– Claire Johnson, Studying Maths at DMU.

- � is problem will always be there. During the years many students will want to come to study at DMU for its excellence in study so I really think that the universoty should provde more accomodation facilities for students so that they can settle in easily. � e fresher’s experience is always daunting so why make it more harder for them?

- Kevin Smith, Studying Business at DMU.

Monday October 19 2009Issue 62

featuresdemon 13

Looking for a new way to experience Halloween this year? If you’ve ever wanted to get involved with a local haunted attraction, you’ll be in for some fun nights of fright that you won’t soon forget. Meet new people and bring your creative and crafty skills to the Halloween community by volunteering at a haunt this Halloween.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous experience in putting together an attraction. All you need is a love for Halloween and a desire for fun, and there will be many things you can contribute to a haunted house, hayride, walk-through, or any other type of haunted attraction. Some of the ways you can volunteer with the horrifi c events:

Be a Monster! Like acting? Live actors are the key to bringing haunted attractions to life. You’ll get to dress up in freakish attire, wear monster make-up and run around acting crazy… who could ask for more? � ink about what type of monster you would like to be ahead of time so you can get a character in mind, such as a vampire, a zombie, a mad scientist, a werewolf, an escaped lunatic, a ghost, a mummy, etc. Don’t worry if you don’t have any previous acting experience. Just fi nd out when the attraction is holding auditions and practice getting into character at home. If you don’t like the thought of running after people on a hayride or jumping out behind a wall of a haunted house, remember that not all monsters in haunted attractions are there to scare people. � ere will also be openings for greeters, walking around the area to keep guests entertained while they wait in line.

Design and Build Sets Like working with your hands? Small haunts are always looking for help in setting up everything from the haunted house to the “� ank you for coming” sign. No matter what your skill level, you can be

trained to help in a variety of areas. Construct a haunted castle from the ground up, paint the walls, windows and doors, or place the smaller props throughout the haunt. Most haunt-owners also look for new ideas so that their attraction can change with each season. You can bring your own ideas to the table to help put a new spin on the layout and theme.

Make Props Feeling creative? Haunts usually build most of their props rather than buying them, and they need all the help they can get. Learn how to make signs, coffi ns, tombstones, nooses, scarecrows, fl ying ghosts and more. It’s a fun pastime to take part in during October weekends, and you’ll learn how to build from the pros and see your creations come to life. If you would rather do something more low-key, vouch to work with the smaller props, such as carving jack-o-lanterns and putting together Halloween gift bags.

Publicity Like writing and photography? Bring your skills to the haunt by writing an article on their upcoming attraction to post online or give to the weekly newspaper. Take pictures of the set and props coming together to go with your article. You can also design an ad or fl yer for the attraction to put up in your local library and community centre.

Work the Event If you would enjoy working the night of the event rather than setting up behind the scenes, there’s always room for help in that department, too. Volunteer to be one of the ticket sellers, a merchandise vendor, or to direct cars where to park. Helping out on the night of the event will get you out there to enjoy the night of fright and see the people’s amusing reactions.

Want some extra spending cash while turning yourself over to the dark side? Look into working some bigger haunted attractions, as well, such as for theme parks and zoos that are putting on an afterhours Halloween show. Working these types of bigger haunts will pay a small sum, so you can load up on all those Halloween goodies after the show!

If you’ve always wanted to take part in a Halloween haunt, take the leap this year and see how much fun it can be. You’ll meet great people who share your interests of bringing Halloween to life. And who knows, it may turn into a yearly tradition of working on diff erent attractions to look forward to with each Halloween!

Volunteering at a Haunt this HalloweenStephen Thompson

Work the Event If you would enjoy working the night of

always room for help in that department, too. Volunteer to be one of the ticket sellers, a merchandise vendor, or to direct cars where to park. Helping out on the night of the event will get you out there to enjoy the night of fright and see the people’s amusing reactions.

Want some extra spending cash while turning yourself over to the dark side? Look into working some bigger haunted attractions, as well, such as for theme parks and zoos that are putting on an afterhours Halloween show. Working these types of bigger haunts will pay a small sum, so you can load

You’ll meet great people who share your interests of bringing Halloween to life......

Mark Johnson

Halloween at Home and on the Street

Celebrating Halloween with costumes, decorations, and trick-or-treating can be a lot of fun for the entire family! � ere is no doubt that you will see and maybe do things during Halloween that (fortunately) you will not see or do any other time of the year. To ensure it remains fun for everyone, here are some suggestions to keep the celebration safe and healthy.

First, pre-plan for yourself and your house. Costumes that are bright and refl ective will reduce the tire marks from drivers not seeing ‘halloweeners.’ Use non-toxic, hypoallergenic makeup in place of full-faced masks to prevent vision and breathing problems. Wigs and costumes should also be fl ame-retardant. Too many children and adults end up in burn units from pranks and ill-suited costumes.

Outdoor decorations can be really cool, but remember you will have children running across your yard. If you plan to be visited by extra-terrestials, goblins, monsters, royalty and superheroes, remember these children cannot actually fl y. Unless, of course, they are fl ying over your yard stuff from not seeing them. Keep your decorations lit or in non-pedestrian areas (such as front lawns and culverts) to reduce potential lawsuits and prevent injuries. Other items you may not think of include fl ower pots, garden hoses, low tree limbs or roots, and other house and yard items.

Find accessories for costumes that are fl exible and soft. Knives, sticks, swords, and guns – even play ones – can pose life-threatening hazards if your child falls on them or gets him killed in some neighbourhoods or business areas if the weapon looks real.

For the main event, have a route or location already established. Many of the malls now off er a safe environment along with costume contests for children, as do other organizations. Make sure you have the right batteries for fl ashlights. Feed your children a good meal prior to going out to reduce the sugar-meal-syndrome when returning with all of their goodies.

Act responsibly with your pets. Try not to put them outside or in a high visibility area. It not only scares the daylights out of the ‘weeners, but can make your pet more aggressive as it believes it is under attack by strange beings. Keeping your pet indoors will also reduce the risk of the pet being attacked or injured by someone.

Halloween can be fun. Keeping it safe for adults, children, and pets will provide a positive experience for everyone!

The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

demonfashion14Monday October 19 2009

Issue 62

Top 5 tips to stay on trend (but out of your overdraft) this season1. Never bin it.... although student accommodation might be tight for space; never throw away your old clothes. � ose cute summer t-shirts can be worn as an extra layer under

jumpers and investing in cheap tights means you can still do winter chic in your summer dresses. Don’t like your clothes anymore? Ask a friend or relative if they want them instead. It will not only make you popular but you can borrow them back if you change your mind!

2. Customisation.... grab yourself a needle and thread and get sewing! Buying cheap ribbons, sequins and studs means you can transform an outfi t into an original piece no one else will have. Leicester market has some great materials and haberdashery stools. � e market is on Monday - Saturday, 7am-6pm.

3. Invest in a coat.... lets face it we may as well live in our coats during the winter so it is well worth investing in one that will not only keep you warm, but will keep you looking hot in the cold months that loom. See catwalk coats for inspiration.

4. Be cheeky and borrow! Whether it’s from your friends, your mum, siblings even your granny (vintage chic!) Save money and rifl e through the wardrobes of the people you know and love, not only will you get a free dress for the night, I’m sure they will be fl attered!

5. Try vintage and charity shops.... One of my favourites is Dolly Mix vintage store in Cank Street Leicester. � ey have beautiful one of a kind pieces at Primark prices! � e fur coats and 1920’s dress are just some of my favourites. As well as clothes they also stock furnishings for any student wanting to jazz up their accommodation as well as their wardrobe.

It won’t be long until the cold and wet weather makes it that much harder for us students to get out of bed, and avoid our hair turning into uncontrollable frizzy manes! But if Mother Nature insists on toying with your looks, you need to know the key autumn/winter looks you can grab out of your wardrobe to keep you looking fabulous all day long. I took a trip on campus and around Leicester to see who is pulling off some of the latest trends eff ortlessly this season, and how you can copy there style.

Here are some inspiring coats taken fresh from the fall 2009 catwalks. Look out for similar styles and colours in your local high street stores at aff ordable student prices.

Leicester’s Winter Wardrobes

Inspirational catwalk coats

fashiondemon 15The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

Caitlin, 16 Student Caitlin’s bright colours and vintage peals are a great way to jazz up a dull winter wardrobe. � is double breasted jacket from Topshop is perfect for all shapes and sizes. For a more daring look you could try customising you a blazer with some shoulder pads to create this seasons 80’s vibe. � e cute fl oral dress breaks up the bright tights and blazer well. � e brown patent shoes and matching bag top the outfi t off .

Blazer: Topshop Tights: Primark

Francesca, 19Dance student � is baggy sequined top is perfect for the party season ahead. � e key feature of Balmain’s catwalk show was sequins and shoulder pads, a favourite with Kate Moss. For more subtle daytime looks try stores like Debenems or House of Fraser or for that all out glam party girl inside you, try Topshop or Zara.

Sequin top: TopshopBoots: Jones

Alice, 20 English student I love the way this body con skirt has been combined with a t shirt and fl at shoes to smarten the outfi t. � e cute logo t shirt is not only bright but playful at the same time. � e quilted bag, inspired by Chanel, has been copied and redesigned in just about every high street shop at the moment. Go for a smaller version like Ally’s or a larger more practical piece.

Bag: TopshopSkirt: H&M

Top: Bank

Victoria, 25 Creative Co-ordinator Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton and Prada (to name a few) all featured knee length boots on their catwalks this season. It is also a favourite trend among celebs such as Victoria Beckham and Rihanna. Tight thigh highs are the way to go for the brave among you, or why not try the more slouchy boots as featured above in the style of Vivian Westwood. Also add a touch of femininity to you boyfriend blazer with rolled up sleeves and an interesting pattern. Blazer: Vintage

Boots: FaithBag: Chloe

Catherine, 21Fashion graduate Leather jackets were all over the catwalk this season and they are easy to wear with almost any outfi t. Team with denim shorts, and a studded bag (as seen above) for the ultimate rock chic look. Other leather fashions you could try include skirts from Oasis or even leather dresses from H&M. For a more feminine rock style, combine your jacket with a soft dress or lace material. Try to wear your old summer garments to save pounds!

Jacket: TopshopShorts: Vintage Levi

Top: H&M

Ally, 22History student � is beautiful vintage lace dress is another key trend this season. High street shops including Zara, H&M and Mango have all taken inspiration from the catwalk designs of Betty Jackson and Anna Sui. Buying your lace garments from vintage shops will not only save you money but give you an original edge. A polka dot bag has completed this outfi t, a trend that has recently been showcased on the catwalks of London fashion week by designers such as Luella for their spring/summer 10 collection. So grab your polka dots now for next season.

Bag: H&MDress: Vintage

Shoes: Converse

Francesca, 19Dance student � is baggy sequined top is perfect for the party season ahead. � e key feature of Balmain’s catwalk show was sequins and shoulder pads, a favourite with Kate Moss. For more subtle daytime looks try stores like Debenems or House of Fraser or for that all out glam party girl inside you, try Topshop or Zara.

Caitlin, 16 Student Caitlin’s bright colours and vintage peals are a great way to jazz up a dull winter wardrobe. � is double breasted jacket from Topshop is perfect for all shapes and sizes. For a more daring look you could try customising you a blazer with some shoulder pads to create this seasons 80’s vibe. � e cute fl oral dress breaks up the bright tights and blazer well. � e brown patent shoes and matching bag top the outfi t off .

Victoria, 25 Creative Co-ordinator Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton and Prada (to name a few) all featured knee length boots on their catwalks this season. It is also a favourite trend among celebs such as Victoria Beckham and Rihanna. Tight thigh highs are the way to go for the brave among you, or why not try the more slouchy boots as featured above in the style of Vivian Westwood. Also add a touch of femininity to you boyfriend blazer with rolled up sleeves and an interesting pattern. Blazer: Vintage

Victoria, 25

Ally, 22History student � is beautiful vintage lace dress is another key trend this season. High street shops including Zara, H&M and Mango have all taken inspiration from the catwalk designs of Betty Jackson and Anna Sui. Buying your lace garments from vintage shops will not only save you money but give you an original edge. A polka dot bag has completed this outfi t, a trend that has recently been showcased on the catwalks of London fashion week by designers such as Luella for their spring/summer 10 collection. So grab your polka dots now for next season.

Ally, 22

Alice, 20 English student I love the way this body con skirt has been combined with a t shirt and fl at shoes to smarten the outfi t. � e cute logo t shirt is not only bright but playful at the same time. � e quilted bag, inspired by Chanel, has been copied and redesigned in just about every high street shop at the moment. Go for a smaller version like Ally’s or a larger more practical piece.

Catherine, 21

Alice, 20

artsdemon 17The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

Bottle Rocket Comedy ClubSaturday 17th October, 8pm-11pmY � eatre, £11-13Richard Herring, star of many successful TV shows with Stewart Lee.Greg Davies, starring TV roles include We Are Klang, and � e Inbetweeners.Charlie Baker, imagine Frank Sinatra, Jack Black and Jethrohad a son and you’re close to capturing Charlie.Seann Walsh, winner of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2009, and one of this year's newest rising stars.

Be Inspired and Get Creative!Saturday 17th – Saturday 24th October� e City Gallery� e City Gallery are opening up their Learning Space for public use during this week. � e space will act as your personal studio with lots of materials available. Families and groups are welcome to use the space to play, colour and create. To book in for a free self directed study session call 0116 2232060 or book at the gallery's reception.

� e Chinese State CircusTuesday 20th October – Sunday 25th OctoberVictoria Park � e Chinese State Circus are bringing a brand new show to Leicester, aiming to provide the very best in family entertainment. � eir distinctive performances are thousands of years old and are still able to entertain the masses.

� is year, local magazine From Dusk 2 Dawn is planning their fi rst Weekender event in partnership with the Cultural Quarter Business Association (CQBA). � e event will be taking place between the 24th and 25th of October 2009. From Dusk 2 Dawn magazine has been running for a year now, releasing a new issue every academic term. Currently on their fouth issue, Creative Director Dan Lamoon is hoping that the weekender will raise the profi le of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter and help inject arts into the local community.

FD2D are a relatively new and vibrant organisation and are striving to become a household name in Leicestershire, and believe that the Weekender will help them to achieve this aim. Along with the partners, the team has put together a programme of exciting events that will celebrate Leicester’s cultural diversity, and bring life to the newly regenerated Cultural Quarter.

� e Weekender Festival has been masterminded with two main goals in mind; to raise money for Oxjam and to provide the city of Leicester with a fantastic cultural event, promoting collaboration between small business and larger establishments, including the critically acclaimed, Curve � eatre. All partners are working for a charitable purpose, proving that, as a Cultural City; Leicester can pull together with incredible results

� e organisers of the event are pitching the event as a festival with a conscience; it’s about trying to raise money for Oxfam and aid them in the pursuit of ending poverty in the worlds poorest countries. Every single pound that raised for this event is going towards helping people to earn

a living; get an education; gain better access to health care; fresh water and to grow more food.

� e festival is taking place in the cities revamped Cultural quarter and comes in the run up to the public opening of the

brand new phoenix square. � e eclectic programme should help to draw the people’s attention to the wonderful opportunities the development in this part of Leicester off ers the city.

� is line up includes the Artbooter arts and crafts market, to be structured by Jasia from Spirit, there is specifi cally one eagerly anticipated night on off er - in the trend of the current New York and Barcelona phenomenon, � e Poetry Brothel. Originating in England over ten years ago, it returns home and exclusively to Leicester. � is unique evening presents a rotating cast of both male and female poets, engaged in a night of literary debauchery and private poetry readings with the fee being donated to Oxjam. � e International acclaimed musician and creative visionary partner of the Weekender, Carol Leeming is programming Dare to Diva, a weekend of WOW World Fusion Music, Green Law and Paulo Carnoth and his Drummers.

Another exciting and artistically liberating event being hosted is the Art Jam. � roughout October artists from around the Midlands will be displaying their work directly on Leicester’s urban landscape, culminating in a showcase on the 24th. � e Art Jam aims to create art work throughout the cultural quarter’s new Independent Art Centre for your perusal whilst showcasing the diverse artistic talent exploding out of the East Midlands.

As with every good festival, there will be a number of special musical guests for your entertainment. From blues and soul, through to retro funk there will be something to cater for your every taste. � e full ‘From Dusk 2 Dawn’ Weekender programme will be ready and available from the beginning of October, and I’m sure the event will raise a lot of money for Oxjam whilst harbouring the hope of knocking your cultural socks off .

Jane McDonaldFriday 23rd October, 7.30 – 11pmDe Montfort Hall, £16.50 - £27.50Star of Loose Women, international recording artist and loved diva will be performing some of her best loved songs from her fabulous repertoire.

Bowling For SoupSaturday 24th October, Doors 7pmDe Montfort Hall, £16.50 (+£2 booking fee)Bowling For Soup return with new album ‘Sorry For Partyin’’, coinciding with this UK tour. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Halloween Ghost Watch SpecialFriday 30th October, 7pm-2am� e Guildhall, £45 (incl. Refreshments)� is creepy ghost watch will get your screaming! Spend the evening looking for the Guildhall ghosts, as seen on Living TV’s ‘Most Haunted’. Guided by a parapsychologist, enjoy an evening that will make even the staunchest sceptic think twice! Booking is essential, no unaccompanied children, age limit 16 and above. No alcohol to be brought onto the premises.

WORD!Tuesday 3rd November� e Y � eatre, £2-£3Whether you’re into poetry, fi ction or both, these sparky sister nights make the Y the place to be for live literature and creative living.

Whats Going On This Month...

From Dusk 2 Dawn Weekender

a living; get an education; gain better access to health care;

brand new phoenix square. � e eclectic programme should help to draw the people’s attention to the wonderful opportunities the development in this part of Leicester off ers the city.

to be structured by Jasia from Spirit, there is specifi cally one eagerly anticipated night on off er - in the trend of the current New York and Barcelona phenomenon, � e Poetry Brothel. Originating in England over ten years ago, it returns home and exclusively to Leicester. � is unique evening presents a rotating cast of both male and female poets, engaged in a night of literary debauchery and private poetry readings with the fee being donated to Oxjam. � e International acclaimed musician and creative visionary partner of the Weekender, Carol Leeming is programming Dare to Diva, a weekend of WOW World Fusion Music, Green Law and Paulo Carnoth and his Drummers.

hosted is the Art Jam. � roughout October artists from around the Midlands will be displaying their work directly on Leicester’s urban landscape, culminating in a showcase on the 24th. � e Art Jam aims to create art work throughout the cultural quarter’s new Independent Art Centre for your perusal whilst showcasing the diverse artistic talent exploding out of the East Midlands.

special musical guests for your entertainment. From blues and soul, through to retro funk there will be something to cater for your every taste. � e full ‘From Dusk 2 Dawn’ Weekender programme will be ready and available from

Sarah Denyer

� e Chinese State CircusTuesday 20th October – Sunday 25th OctoberVictoria Park � e Chinese State Circus are bringing a brand new show to Leicester, aiming to provide the very best in family entertainment. � eir distinctive performances are thousands of years old and are still able to entertain the masses.

Halloween Ghost Watch SpecialFriday 30th October, 7pm-2am� e Guildhall, £45 (incl. Refreshments� is creepy ghost watch will get your screaming! Spend the evening looking for the Guildhall ghosts, as seen on Living TV’s ‘Most Haunted’. Guided by a parapsychologist, enjoy an evening that will make even the staunchest sceptic think twice! Booking is essential, no unaccompanied children, age limit 16 and above. No alcohol to be brought onto the premises.

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In the run up to Leicester’s Oxjam music festival on the 25th October, Loaf bar and Looking Glass host an intimate jam session for musicians to participate and show off their musical talents.

October 8th saw the happening of Loaf ’s ‘Big Jam.’ A variety of musicians gathered to voluntarily perform a night of rock, reggae, soul, pop and anything the audience requested. Some did acoustic sets; others rapped, used banjos, bongos and bass guitars. Even the charity bucket was used as a maraca. A feel good ambience surrounded the diverse range of musical brilliance. Although a small gathering of supporters, we sang to the jam whilst supping mojito’s and the fi nest ales.

For those wanting a taste of Oxjam before the 25th, head to Looking Glass on October the 23rd. Also look out for other fund-raising events taking place throughout the city.

� e Leicester Oxjam music festival takes place on Sunday 25th October, across 10 venues and showing a wide-range of

performances from poetry to dubstep, burlesque to jazz. Over 120 local musicians, bands, DJ’s, performers and many more have come together to make this year’s event bigger than ever. It is a music festival with a diff erence!

Oxjam is the music festival of Oxfam, raising money and awareness for their campaigns, this year working against climate change. � e festival is taking place in 24 cities across the UK, all uniting together with one message. Climate change costs lives. Lets sort it, Here and Now.

Twelve thousand people pushed Gordon Brown and now he is going to Copenhagen for the December climate change talks to move forward action against climate change. � e campaign aims to raise awareness of climate change, and show people it is not a future event, but is in fact happening here and now.

Using music as a voice Oxfam launched their ‘Demand action until you are blue in the face’ campaign. Starting with a celebrity campaign including fat boy slim and Jarvis Cocker, then Painting 60,000 peoples faces blue at summer festivals.

Oxjam Leicester is run entirely by former

DMU students, with a passion for music and the inclination to make a diff erence. Since October 1st, volunteers have been running individual events across Leicestershire all for Oxjam, these events are helping Oxjam Leicester reach its fundraising target of £10,000.

Starting at 3pm and going on to the early hours of Monday morning it is going to be one big party. Pop down by yourself or bring your mates, one wristband gets you into all ten venues all day, all proceeds go to Oxfam Here and Now campaign.

Oxjam is a charitable event where everyone can be involved at all stages.

Oxjam are still looking • for volunteers so if you are interested in being part of the team contact Vicki on Vicki.ford85@googlemail.com. For tickets call Simon on 07971 169662. £5adv, £6od

The Charlotte Is BackAfter long disputes, Leicester’s most popular music venue re-opens its doors to the public. Ollie Millington heads to the launch.

Oxjam Music Festival

Claire Sanders and Laura Westerby

text and photos

Whether you are new to Leicester this year or not it would be hard to have not heard about � e Charlotte. For the past twenty years the legendary venue has played host to giants from every facet of the music world. From the heaviest stadium fi lling metal bands like to the most cutting edge urban artists to the most far out performance art musicians the venue has had them all through the doors. In most cases with bands such as Snow Patrol and Babyshambles the Charlotte dates have been by far the smallest venue dates on their tours with every other night being played in front of thousands of people.

Back in January due to fi nancial problems the Charlotte was forced to close and for most of the year has sat empty forcing music lovers to venture to Nottingham or Birmingham to see their favourite bands. Despite massive eff orts by other venues in the city to fi ll the void Leicester’s live music scene, while internally strong with a large number of bands holding a strong community and DIY ethos its not hard to notice the lack of current touring bands playing here recently.

As the new uni year loomed with the prospect of Nottingham and Birmingham being the only places nearby to see National bands a ray of light for the city emerged. Leicester band � e Screening posted a message on their facebook about a upcoming gig at � e Charlotte ( a venue they have played many times in the last few years with many a fan led stage invasion), within a short space of time the reason this was able to happen emerged. Leicester music lovers Tim Sturgess, Johnny Hunt, Olly Ford and Gareth Ford may have just given the Leicester music scene the injection its been needing all year. Teaming up the four have

managed to lease the premises to return it to its former glory. Although as it stands at the moment the venue will only be open for 6 months it is hoped this will be extended when the owners of the building see its popularity.

So who will be playing there you ask? New gigs are currently being announced on an almost daily basis via Facebook standouts include Ska legend Pauline Black ahead of the release of her memoirs, Finley Quaye and, looking set to be the most talked about gig in leicester this year the torch bearers for political hip-hop Dead Prez will be at the charlotte for one of only two UK dates (the other being London’s legendary KoKo venue). So, alongside some big dates coming up at

De Montfort Hall no one will be moaning about not having good gigs in Leicester again for some time and the Demon will be there at every step giving you a heads up on what’s happening and reviewing it at every step. Leicester it would seem is once again on the map for good music, keep an eye out, with the likes of Dead Prez playing at the Charlotte it’s sure to be a good 6 months ahead.

The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

demonmusic20

Single Reviews

Post War Years- ʻSoul Owlʼ (Wealth)

Brimming with musical treats, deep, syrupy vocals and a sharp tempo full of sparkling energy, ‘Soul Owl’ is uniquely crafted with lyrics swamped with earnest emotion. Pushing you head fi rst into a pool of breath-taking Bjork ambience, harmonised bass and soaring melodies, Post War Years have created an innovative and intelligent sound that should not be overlooked.

Laura Westerby

Paramore - Brand New Eyes

Paramore’s hotly anticipated third album ‘Brand New Eyes’ veers off from their usual upbeat tunes which are regularly top the rock charts and are overplayed in clubs. � is album is full of soft, melodic tracks like “� e Only Exception” perfect for chilling out or writing an essay to. You might not even realise what band it is until Hayley Williams’ soaring voice cuts through the strumming of Josh Farro.

Dubbed with “Riot!” as a sellout, the band have hit back, blending their usual rock-pop tracks such as Decode, featured in the hit fi lm Twilight and Ignorance, number one in Kerrang! with more mature tunes such as “Misguided Ghosts” and “All I Wanted”.

� e must-have album of the year, Paramore have delivered a collection that will satisfy their die-hard fans whilst proving they have more than one string to their bow. Defi nitely one for the Christmas list.

Sarah Taylor

Top Ten Halloween Hits

Paramore’s hotly anticipated third album ‘Brand New Eyes’ veers off from their usual upbeat tunes which are regularly top the rock charts and are overplayed in clubs. � is album is full of soft, melodic tracks like “� e Only Exception” perfect for chilling out or writing an essay to. You might not even realise what band it is until Hayley Williams’ soaring voice cuts through the strumming of Josh Farro.

band have hit back, blending their usual rock-pop tracks such as Decode, featured in the hit fi lm Twilight and Ignorance, number one in Kerrang! with more mature tunes such as “Misguided Ghosts” and “All I Wanted”.

� e UK version contains 12 tracks with guests Tinchy Stryder and new US star Kesha from Flo-Rida’s track “Round Round”. Like with last year’s gold-selling debut album Departure, Rokstarr off ers a mix of upbeat dancefl oor fi llers with slower softer ballad pieces.

Setting the tone for the album is the UK number 1 hit “Break your heart”. Key tracks include; “Dirty picture” R&B meets electro reminding us of a heavy night out, “No other one” wouldn’t be surprised if this is the next single with the JLS horn vibe going on, “Forever love” is the catchiest tune off the album, again collabing dance with R&B. “Best Girl” focuses back to what I call “real R&B” less pop sound. “Falling in love” fuses rock into the mash-up of genres. My personal favourite is “� e 11th hour” playing with concepts from classical music, dance, bassline and R&B music. When this hits the club speakers the crowd will go mad.

Overall an outstanding album, a must have for any R&B fan. Defi nitely a contender for best album of the year so far. � is has Grammy written all over it.

Jef Nunn

With Halloween upon us, everyone is getting ready to party. But the question is, what do we want on our track list to get us into the spirit of ghosts, ghouls and vampires?

Here are the top ten Halloween party tracks:

10. � e Monster Mash – � is classic song by Bobby Pickett is one for everyone’s playlist. It’ll get your guests dancing and imitating the Frankenstein voice.

9. Witch Doctor – You’ll know this song as being by � e Cartoons. � is is a great sing along and brings back memories of the school days.

8. Ghostbusters –I hear the theme tune from the movie and just want to dance and eat marshmallow men. Everyone will be singing the line ‘who ya gonna call....Ghostbusters’ at

your party. So... if you see a ghost, you know what to do.

7. � is Is Halloween – As kids, we all saw � e Nightmare Before Christmas, shivered at Patrick Stewarts voice during the opening credits and hid as Oogie Boogie appeared in the moon. You can relive that moment with the classic “� is Is Halloween,” whether you choose the Marilyn Manson remix, or the original Tim Burton version.

6. Purple People Eater –Become a fi ve year old again and enjoy wiggling around to “One eyed, one horned, fl ying purple people eater.” Alcohol at this point of the party

will be optional but recommended.

5. Time Warp –You don’t need your own sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania at the party to get into the giddiness this song makes. � e dance is also easy to follow which is a bonus.

4. I Want Candy – � e Bow Wow Wow created a cry for every child on Halloween with this track.

3. Halloween (� eme) – With the release of Halloween 2, the remake of the classic story of babysitter killer Michael Myers, everyone will get a chill up their spine with this song.

2. I Put A Spell On You – While many will remember this song from the movie “Hocus Pocus,” it is the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version that is Halloween approved. With its freaky intro, and a deep echoing voice, you’ll go running straight to Mum.

1. � riller – No spooky gathering would be complete without a blast from the dearly departed Michael Jackson. Most of us know a little bit of that iconic dance, even if its just the zombie walk. If nothing else, reminisce and laugh about recent rumours that MJ’s ghost was seen wandering his house.

Brimming with musical treats, deep, syrupy vocals and a sharp tempo full of sparkling energy, ‘Soul Owl’ is uniquely crafted with lyrics swamped with earnest emotion. Pushing you head fi rst into a pool of breath-taking Bjork ambience, harmonised bass and soaring melodies, Post War Years have created an innovative and intelligent sound that should not be overlooked.

Taio Cruz - Rokstarr

your party. So... if you see a ghost, you know what to do.

7. � is Is Halloween – As kids, we all saw � e Nightmare Before Christmas, shivered at Patrick Stewarts voice during the opening credits and hid as Oogie Boogie appeared in the moon. You can relive that moment with the classic “� is Is Halloween,” whether you choose the Marilyn Manson remix, or the original Tim Burton version.

6. Purple People Eater –Become a fi ve year old again and enjoy wiggling around to “One eyed, one horned, fl ying purple people eater.” Alcohol at this point of the party

is the UK number 1 hit “Break your heart”. Key tracks include; “Dirty picture” R&B meets electro reminding us of a heavy night out, “No other one” wouldn’t be surprised if this is the next single with the JLS horn vibe going on, “Forever love” is the catchiest tune off the album, again collabing dance with R&B. “Best Girl” focuses back to what I call “real R&B” less pop sound. “Falling in love” fuses rock into the mash-up of genres. My personal favourite is “� e 11th hour” playing with concepts from classical music, dance, bassline and R&B music. When this hits the club speakers the crowd will go mad.

a must have for any R&B fan. Defi nitely a contender for best album of the year so far. � is has Grammy written all over it.

Monday October 19 2009Issue 62

fi lmdemon 21

Bogey Man Countdown

10. Jason Vorhees� e boy who drowned at Camp Crystal Lake, who managed to come back to live a grand total of ten times, is up there as one of the all time best villains. Sure his powers don’t make sense but a man in a hockey mask running after you with a machete is defi antly pertifying. Now while many prefer the original Jason to the remake, the remake does have its charm as a deadlier, more terrifying masked killer.

9. JigsawPersonally, I don’t see what is scary about an aging old man, and his little wooden doll on a bike. Looks are deceiving however. It is the brain of Jigsaw that makes him one of the most deadly villains. I can also see why the concept of a vigilante off ering you life for permanent mutilation is enough to make the stomach turn.

8. Leather FaceBased on a true story, Leather Face is our Texas based chainsaw killer. Really this guy makes you turn tail and run, purely because of the fact that he was a real murderer; Ed Gein. At least he will until you get the facts. How much of the story is true is disputed; Ed Gein did wear a ‘skin mask’ but only because he desired to be a women, not because of a skin disease. He did not however kill people with a chain saw.

7. � e Alien� e 1979 Horror fi lm Alien brought the horror of space into our minds in the form

of the Alien with acidic blood, stealth and the potential to regenerate by bursting out of our guts. While there is little chance of this freakish monster getting its teeth into you, it’s enough to put you off a career as an Astronaut for life.

6. Ghost FaceNow while the premise for the third fi lm is a little slack and the links between the fi lms are even worse, ghost face is one killer who makes you wonder when you pick up the phone this Halloween, if there will be a little voice on the end: “Do you like scary movies.” Although this was ruined a little by Scary Movie, by the detached breast implant scene.

5. Candyman – aka Daniel Robitaille According to the legend, he was a black slave artist who fell in love and got a plantation owners daughter pregnant. � ey lynched him, by covering him in honey, sawing off his right hand, and letting the bees fi nish him off . Now in the afterlife with a hook for a hand, if you call his name fi ve times in a mirror he will come to get you. Scared yet?

4. Chucky – aka Charles Lee Ray � e serial killer known as the Lakeshore Strangler. Now as a killer he was probably about 4 on the scary scale, as Good Guy Doll turned phyco killer Chucky, this guy shoots up the scale. � is guy made children afraid to have dolls in their room. With backup from girlfriend Tiff any, introduced in Bride Of Chucky, the duo give most real killers a run for their money.

3. Michael Myers No not the actor, although he is pretty freaky himself. Which story you know of Michael will depend which version you’ve seen. He is either a physco babysitter killer, or a screwed up kid who wants to kill off his entire family on Halloween. Either way, it does make you think twice about taking Halloween seriously.

2. Pennywise Stephen King’s creation was premiered to us to the fi lm “It” in 1990, and it has left many of us afraid of clowns for the rest of our lives. A killer clown is not only a demented idea, but a brilliant one. Who better to hack out your heart than a smiling face painted stranger ey!

1. Freddy Krueger

� is one even I will admit to being terrifi ed of. � e fi rst time I saw A Nightmare On Elm Street, I couldn’t sleep for days, as I thought every shadow in my room was Freddy Kruger back from his dream world and out to get me. What is more terrifying than a paedophile who survived being burnt to death by becoming the ultimate evil who can kill you in your sleep. With razor sharp hedge trimming fi nger nails as weapons, and a Dennis � e Menace jumper, Freddy is the ultimate killer in my book

of the Alien with acidic blood, stealth and the potential to regenerate by bursting out of our guts. While there is little chance of this freakish monster getting its teeth into you, it’s enough to put you off a career as an Astronaut for life.

6. Ghost FaceNow while the premise for the third fi lm is a little slack and the links between the fi lms are even worse, ghost face is one killer who makes you wonder when you

on the scary scale, as Good Guy Doll turned phyco killer Chucky, this guy shoots up the scale. � is guy made children afraid to have dolls in their room. With backup from girlfriend Tiff any, introduced in Bride Of Chucky, the duo give most real killers a run for their money.

� is one even I will admit to being terrifi ed of. � e fi rst time I saw A Nightmare On Elm Street, I couldn’t sleep for days, as I thought every shadow in my room was Freddy Kruger back from his dream world and out to get me. What is more terrifying than a paedophile who survived being burnt to death by becoming the ultimate evil who can kill

Even as adults there are some bad guys that still scare us out of our pants. While most people will never admit to being afraid of a horror fi lm, we all have that one monster that we don’t want to have to battle. Here are the top ten Bogey Men, that keep us awake at night, despite being fi ctional.

one. Who better to hack out your heart than a smiling face painted stranger ey!

1. Freddy Krueger

version you’ve seen. He is either a physco babysitter killer, or a screwed up kid who wants to kill off his entire family on Halloween. Either way, it does make you think twice about taking Halloween seriously.

2. Pennywise

5. Candyman – aka Daniel Robitaille According to the legend, he was a black slave artist who fell in love and got a plantation

call his name fi ve times in a mirror he will come to get you. Scared yet?

4. Chucky – aka Charles Lee Ray � e serial killer known as the Lakeshore Strangler. Now as a killer he was probably about 4

The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

demonfi lm22Monday October 19 2009

Issue 62

Death is closer, in 3D, for the stars of � e Final Destination. Nick O’Bannon (Bobby Campo) is the ill-fated teen that sees Death coming, in horrifi c detail, at the McKinley Speedway. A high-speed car crash causes the old building to start collapsing around everyone, crushing the spectators under huge slabs of concrete. As in all of the Final Destination fi lms the premonition causes a scared lead to create chaos and get a few survivors out of deaths path…little to they know that the path doesn’t disappear, the order just changes and death will fi nd its way in the end. It becomes Nicks’ job, with the help of his Girl

friend Lori (Shantel VanSanten), and two best friends, Janet (Haley Webb) and Hunt (Nick Zano), to try and change deaths course but with the premonitions continuing and the crash survivors dying one-by-one it seems that death just wont be cheated resulting in gruesome ends for all involved. Even though the fi lm is in

3D the actors portray nothing more than a 1D performance. � e script isn’t well written and the horror scenes seem a little gratuitous. � e fi nal destination branding on this fi lm is probably the only reason that it made it to the cinema, as the basic and obvious plot line would not stand up of its own accord. � e fi lm was laugh out loud funny, just not in good way.

Nicky Docherty

Jacques Mesrine would be thrilled to see the release of a fi lm based on his own infamous life events, from numerous prison escapes – both smart and lethal – to murderous escapades and robberies – viscerally shot with piercing dialogue. � e infamous French criminal (1936 – 1979) was obsessed with his public image, and as the fi lm suggests this was more than likely motivation for many of his illegal actions. He even wrote an auto-biography glorifying his own actions – he felt his cause was more important than the law and saw himself as something of a revolutionist. Jean-Francois Richet, of ‘Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)’ fame, has done a phenomenal job of presenting the character of Jacques Mesrine without forcing you to feel one way or another about him. Mesrine is presented to you leaving you to make your mind up whether he was mere criminal, or a man with a motive.

‘Mesrine: Killer Instinct’ opens with an Andy Warhol / ‘24’ inspired split screen eff ect showing multiple angles, creating tension before we’ve even gotten to know the characters or a single line of dialogue has been uttered. � e prelude ends with a brutal massacre, the results of which we don’t even see until the second fi lm. It’s the perfect start to the fi lm, immediately gripping and a smart introduction to the dark and violent approach which the director, the aforementioned Jean-Francois, has taken. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. � ere’s humour hidden away, though it mirrors the general mood of the fi lm

– it’s dark, dark, dark. � e fi lm was split into two, following

others such as ‘Kill Bill ‘and ‘Che’, with each boasting a solid 2 hours of thrilling entertainment. It’s a brave move, and one which was defi nitely worth taking. � e second fi lm opens with the aftermath of the fi rst’s opening, and it slowly begins to make more and more sense towards the fi lm’s climax – which doesn’t disappoint. Vincent Cassel takes the lead role of Mesrine and as a famous French actor - though he has starred in English fi lms also (‘Ocean’s Twelve’ and‘Ocean’s � irteen’ for example) - he fi ts into the role perfectly and delivers dialogue with precision and brutal realism. It’s believable and takes hardly any time at all to become engrossed to his phenomenal performance. Mathieu Amalric, the villain from ‘Quantum of Solace’, stars in the second fi lm as a counterpart to Mesrine. He plays fellow criminal Francois Besse, whom meets Mesrine in prison, and has arguably more sense than Jacques – becoming increasingly irritated by Mesrine’s nature as the fi lm progresses.

Both Mesrine fi lms need to be experienced to fully grasp their sheer quality. Multiple viewings are mandatory for an optimal grasp of the fi lms, usually a good indication of a fi lm’s quality – and in this case the fi lms are detailed enough that you’ll miss a few things on fi rst viewing but they aren’t convoluted enough that information overload ensues. Visceral, enjoyable and ruthless, ‘Mesrine: Killer Instinct’ and ‘Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One’ are both sublime

pieces of cinema and should not be missed. Jacques Mesrine would be impressed, though whether he would have needed an ego boost is questionable.

Stephen Clark

The Final Destination

Mesrine: Killer InstinctMesrine: Public Enemy Number 1

The Invention of LyingRicky Gervais plays Mark Bellison, a middle aged man at the bottom of the pile in a society which has never learnt to lie. He leads a miserable life in a world where everybody says what they mean, leading to some amusing scenes as he dates Jennifer Garner’s character, Anna. However, everything changes for Mark when he discovers that he is the only human who can tell a lie, and uses it to his own advantage.

From the outset, ‘� e Invention of Lying’ seems like a feel-good fi lm with some quirky features, so Ricky Gervais’s infl uence is felt instantly. Jennifer Garner is a brilliant choice for the love interest, as she manages to play a hard nosed character, yet remains very likeable. � e fi lm raises some chuckles, but not a huge number of belly laughs, as it begins to trip over itself in a mishmash of romantic, social commentary and comedy genres. � e ideas raised are interesting and quite unexpected as it delves into a parody of Christianity. However, these ideas trail off as the fi lm swings back to concentrate on the romantic story line between Mark and Anna. A highlight for British viewers

is a brief, yet funny reference to ‘Extras’. It would appear that Gervais wanted to give a nod to the British fans that had got him noticed by Hollywood in the fi rst place. Unfortunately even when directing himself, Gervais struggle to escape his own typecast despite showing some rays of real acting talent partway through the fi lm. Yet in the end, ‘� e Invention of Lying’ leaves you with a smile on your face, and is very enjoyable as long as you don’t go in to it expecting Oscar material. Gervais has tried to write a thought provoking fi lm that comments on society, but it just doesn’t quite deliver. Although if you want a feel good fi lm to watch on a night in, or simply for when you’re too hungover to think - this is the perfect fi lm for you!

Bekki Griffi ths

is a brief, yet funny reference to ‘Extras’.

SurrogatesAnother Action � riller where Bruce Willis is angry about something, “surrogates” explores the possibility of a world in the not too distant future where robots replace and are controlled by real people to live out their lives from the comfort their bedrooms. As is with all robot fi lms, something is bound to go wrong, leaving it up to Bruce to save humanity.

Considering how terrible this fi lm could be, annoyingly it doesn’t actually do that bad a job, although the sub-plot sob story seems to bear little relevance to the rest of the fi lm. � e “surrogates” are eerily perfect and lacking in human emotion and fl exible movement, yet scenes which show them getting damaged are quite disturbing as they are so lifelike. A fascinating concept

which may have benefi tted from a longer running time to develop better sub plots, “surrogates” invites

the audience to consider how quickly a potentially dangerous concept can take over the population and the consequences of allowing people to become as

lazy, irresponsible and perfect as they desire. “Surrogates”

draws noticeable parallels to how people use the internet to represent themselves. Not the best fl ick of the year, but worth a look.

6/10Clare Trevor

sportdemon 23

� e rapid growth of DMU Cricket looks set to continue this year, following a hugely successful fi rst nets session. Enthusiastic freshers packed out the John Sandford Sports Centre in large numbers, eager to make a name for themselves before the season starts after Christmas.

Prior to the fervour of interest shown in the cricket society during the Freshers Fair, a dramatic reshuffl e of the committee took place. Both fi rst and second team captains have been replaced and a new role of team captain has been created for each side.

DMU fi rst team captain Simon Richardson said “Although we enjoyed a high level of success last season, it is still important to move forward and keep improving. � e whole committee feel that the changes made will make both teams even stronger”.

Last season the fi rst XI were promoted as winners of Midlands league 3a, with an unbelievable string of results that saw them win every league game before being crowned varsity champions.

Although the second XI enjoyed mixed form, they helped fi ll fi rst team vacancies during a season which sits in the middle of the busy exam period.

As in many university sports teams, good results on the fi eld are usually gained by plenty of work off the fi eld. DMU Cricket is no exception, after eff orts to increase awareness of the team around campus helped build a large competitive squad.

Richardson explained “We are the most culturally diverse society in the university. Everyone is welcome here whatever their background or ability. People have started to realise this and we have become a really tight group on and off the pitch”.

Last season the two teams fi elded players from eight diff erent countries in total. Amer Reza, the Bangladeshi Students Union president, is one of these players and will take on the role of second team manager this year.

He said “People forget that cricket is the national sport in many Asian countries. It is great that more and more international students are getting involved with the society. Both teams will go from strength to strength this year”.

� e infl ux of new faces will test the organizers of DMU Cricket. A third XI, as well as an upgrade in the training facilities, may need to be warranted in order to accomodate the increasing number of

players. Just one thing is certain; Another good season will defi nitely numb any growing pains.

Shock and OarLast Friday night saw DeMontfort University’s rowing team carrying out their annual 24 hour Ergo on the Steps of the Student Union Building, Mill Lane.

De Montfort University rowing club has been holding a 24 hour row for the last 5 years and the event grows with every passing year. � e level of support and generosity have been brilliant and overall, the row this year was a huge success for the society.

Considering the rowing club is entirely self funded the 24 hour row plays a hugely important part at the beginning of our season. � ere will be another 24 hour Ergo going on outside Fosse Park Asda during December and I’m sure we will cotinue to use the event to promote the club in the future.

Battling through extremely cold weather overnight and a severe lack of sleep, everyone in the club dug deep and we fi nished on a fantastic fi nal distance of 310,858 metres (over 190 miles!) � is is a great achievment for everyone involved!

� e event was organised by the societies elected executive with special mention going out to Club President Robert Janeiro, Secretary Joe Brunton and the team captains Louis Watson and Emily Jurgis.

� e money raised through collection buckets during the event will help fund the purchase of a new four-man boat. � e boat itself will cost into the thousands, so any money raised is fantastic for the club, and we would once again like to say thank you to those who donated.

� e club managed to raise over £200 throughout the 24 hours. All the money was donated from passers by (no doubt majoritively DMU students) so myself, on behalf of the whole club, would like to say a big thank you for all the support shown. We would also like to thank the security staff , our saviours, who very kindly opened up part of the S.U. so we could get out of the cold during the small hours!

For anyone who is interested in joining the Rowing team this year, we run circuit training every Tuesday night at the John Sandford Gym. Training runs from 18:30 - 20:00 and you will require your Athletics Union card. You can register for your card online at www.demontfortstudents.com or come in and visit the Student Activites offi ce in the S.U. Building. � e card costs £30 for the year and covers you for all sports clubs and societies.

DMU Cricket Catches Freshers Fever

DMU Rowing Media Secretary Adam Koszulinski talks us through the society’s yearly 24 hour Ergo.

Peter Beck

The Newspaper of De Montfort Studentswww.demontfortstudents.com/demon

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Leicestershire Studentand Graduate Fair

The East Midlands’ largest careers event

Ad8278b

Wednesday 11 November 2009Walkers Stadium (Leicester City FC)

11am–3.30pm

Free coaches from DMU Campus Centre to the Walkers Stadium(and back) every 15 minutes from 10.45am until 3.15pm